Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-11

The Presidents reply to the American Fisheries
Union Is receiving numerous contradictory in
terpretations II 1t had been an utterance OF the
Deiphic oracle. The Union suggested that the
object OF retaliation against Canada might be fully
accomplished By prohibiting Canadian-caught
nsn from entry into ports OK the United States:
The President replies that retaliation not to pro-
tect solely any particular interest, but to main
tain the national honor and thus protect all our
people; that II the measure is once reSorted to- its
effectiveness and value may well depend upon the
thoroughness and extent Of It's application; that
vast and diversified interests may be affected but
that In maintaining the honor, dignity and in
tegrity OF the nation, injury to particular inter-
ests should be periodically borne for the public
good, and no sacrifice OF personal or private inter-
est should be considered as against the general
welfare The letter has been approved by many
as dignifed warning TO Canada, that retaliation
viii be- II necessary, OF the compreh ansive and
stringent character which the Canadian premier
deprecated as very severe. The American fisher
men whose wrongs have been made a national
grievance and who believe that threats cannot,
but that retaliation VIII, bring Canada to terms
are somewhat puzzled to interpret the letter.
Does 1t mean, as alleged IN at least one quarter,
that the reasonable first step OF retaliation In shut
ting out Canadian fish viii not be taken, because
the aim OF the measure Is not 10 protect solely any
particular interest; and that retaliation viii be
postponed entirely until the government can bring
itself to interrupt or destroy all communication
with Canada, and the entire profitable trade with
that country: And the fishermen wonder whether
the vast interests threatened by total noD-inter-
course with Canada may not be led TO depreciate
the American grievance, and induce the govern
ment 70 postpone retaliation altogether. No one
VIII question the soundness OF the Presidents view
that In maintaining the nations seif-respect and
honor, particular interests should not be consid-
cred II the injury to such interests by retaliation
should not be considered neither should the bene-
ut. Excluding Canadian 1ish and fishermen, though
OF incidental advantage TO our fishermen is the
first kind of retaliation which suggests ITSELF and
many think that such q measure is all that is nc
ceSSary should such retaliation fail to bring Can
ada 10 terms, total non-i1tercoUrse ought to fol-
low. II, however, 10 should hereafter become clear
that nothing less than nonintcrcOurse will influ-
ence obstinate neighbor good reason viii exist
for refusal 10 waste time in feeble Ineffective pre-
Erninares. The real meaning OF the Presidents
letter. IL there Is any amb guilty. viii be disclosed in
the light Of future executive action. The STAR In
terpret3 him as Indicating that there will be re-
taliaton, and that, j: necessary il VIII be carried
90 the extreme point; and rot exaggerating the
injuries OF retaliation With view 10 surrender
hnay 70 Canada, and 20 refuse TO Tetaltate at all.
II Lord La1sd0wlc IS - afraid Of his precious
Bfe that he d1res not admit the public to the
galleries OF tic Dominion Senate Chamber as usual
when he opens Parliament On Wednesday, it
would have been more dignified on his part TO say
nothing about il IL advance but 10 be convenient
IL taken sick just before the time for leaving
fideau hall, ard perform the ceremony by deputy.
The cause Of his alarm is said TO be the receipt of
anonymous letters threatening him with death IL
hedoas not cease evicttng the impoverished tenants
On his Irish estates. This ut leaSt-admittiDg for
arguments sake that the letters amounted TO any
thing-onered HIM an alternative. II he did not
want 10 risk his life, he could order the evictions
stopped Ii, on the other hand, he did not want to
stop the evictien he could soin plain terms and
act Ike man about il. But all this does not
affect the chief marvel in the case. which Is that
British nOblenan who IS considered worthy TO act
as Governor-Generaio OF his Queens most flourish
ing colonies, should hide himself from public view
on account Of an anonymous threat against his
Lie;